Periodontitis in adults

What is periodontal disease

Periodontal disease is a non-inflammatory chronic disease of the tissues that surround the tooth: gums, periodontium, cement, alveolar processes.

There is atrophy of certain sections of the periodontium, sclerotic changes in bone tissue, leading to the exposure of the necks of the teeth. The fact is that the disease is sometimes asymptomatic, and the patient does not even know about it.

However, in the absence of timely treatment, periodontal disease gradually leads to loosening of the teeth and a pathological increase in their sensitivity.

Dentists distinguish the following types of periodontal disease:

• localized with exposure of the tooth necks in a certain area of ​​the jaw;
• generalized with characteristic symptoms throughout the entire dentition.

What you need to know about periodontal disease

Causes of periodontal disease in adults

— The causes of periodontal disease in adults have not been fully identified. It is believed that a violation of blood flow in the periodontal area, the tissues surrounding the tooth, may be due to a violation of metabolic processes, a hereditary factor, malocclusion, – says dentist Ruslan Vykhodtsev.

Reasons can also include:

• periodontal injury;
• violations of oral hygiene;
• lack of vitamins and minerals in the body;
• low level of immunity;
• endocrine pathologies that lead to disruptions in the production of hormones;
• the presence of bad habits;
• neurological problems.

Symptoms of periodontal disease in adults

The doctor highlights the two most striking symptoms of the disease:

• exposure right;
• tooth mobility.

In general, the obvious signs of periodontal disease in adults are:

• exposure of the neck of the tooth and roots;
• pale shade of gums;
• increased sensitivity of teeth to cold, hot, salty;
• defects in tooth enamel and discoloration;
• sclerosis of bone tissue;
• visual increase in interdental spaces;
• itching in the gums.

The patient can detect the initial symptoms on his own, since the usual state and appearance of the mucosa are disturbed. For example, the gums lose their color saturation, thicken, gums may bleed when brushing teeth, and the sensitivity of dental tissue increases.

Degrees of periodontal disease in adults

The dentist determines the degree of periodontal disease in adults, depending on the degree of exposure of the roots of the teeth and on the x-ray.

• Initial. With it, changes in the tissues are barely noticeable, so only a specialist can determine them.
• First. Slight drooping of the gums, teeth occasionally react to cold, hot.
• The second. Significant exposure of the necks of the teeth, increasing their sensitivity, the appearance of interdental gaps, and in some areas of cement instead of enamel.
• The third. The gum drops by more than 50%. Eating often causes discomfort, and the teeth gradually begin to loosen.
• Fourth. The gum drops by more than 65%. The teeth are loose and it interferes with eating and talking. On x-rays, it is noticeable that only the tip holds them in the bone.

Treatment of periodontal disease in adults

It is prescribed by a doctor individually, depending on the stage of the disease. As a rule, patients do not notice the initial symptoms of the disease and turn to a specialist already in advanced cases. In such a situation, the approach to the treatment of periodontal disease of the teeth should be comprehensive.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis of periodontal disease in adults begins with an appointment with a doctor. Depending on the severity, the dentist prescribes an x-ray examination (orthopantomogram). With this type of examination, there is a decrease in the volume of bone tissue, the identification of foci of osteoporosis and osteosclerosis.

There are also methods of reoparodontography (examination of the state of periodontal blood vessels, determining the degree of their changes) and polarography (determining the level of oxygen saturation of periodontal tissues).

Therapies

Drug therapy. The doctor prescribes drugs for treatment – locally or systemically. They may prescribe antibiotics, hormonal drugs. Medicines slow down dystrophic processes, reduce the activity of inflammation. All this stimulates metabolic processes in the periodontium, improves the nutrition of the teeth and strengthens them.

The patient may be prescribed physiotherapy procedures aimed at improving blood flow to the gums. For this, various methods are used:

• electrophoresis;
• exposure to short ultraviolet waves;
• ultrasound;
• gum massage;

Treat periodontitis and laser. It helps to accelerate the regenerative capabilities of tissues, cope with a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect, fights excess bacteria in the oral cavity, relieves swelling and reduces gum bleeding.

In advanced cases, the treatment of periodontal disease is not complete without surgical intervention. Various cell cultures are used as biomaterials, which selectively stimulate regenerative processes in the periodontium.

Prevention of periodontal disease in adults at home

Since periodontal disease occurs in most cases in people with endocrine diseases, diabetes, this means that you need to monitor your health and the development of chronic diseases.

– It is necessary to strengthen the teeth – splinting, strengthening with threads or prosthetics is suitable, – says the doctor.

We must not forget about hygiene. Dentists recommend brushing your teeth twice a day for 4 minutes or longer, removing food debris with dental floss, trying to rinse your mouth after every meal and snack, and changing your toothbrush every 3 months.

Popular questions and answers

Answers Vykhodtsev Ruslan Arturovich, dentist.